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Dec 29, 2005 1:08 pm US/Eastern
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Disabled Advocates Protest SEPTA
by Brandy Bell
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Advocates for the disabled are staging a protest against SEPTA Thursday afternoon over the agency's attempt to recoup court costs related to a recent lawsuit over a 5-year-old disabled girl who was allegedly denied access to a bus.
SEPTA was successful in its attempt to get the case dismissed, but is now suing to get back the money it spent on court costs – approximately $130,000, according to the agency.
The lawsuit was filed by the little girl's grandmother, who claimed her granddaughter had been repeatedly denied access to SEPTA buses. SEPTA said the girl could not get onto the bus because she did not have a standard wheelchair. A judge recently dismissed the laws.
Activists said lawsuits such as the one filed by the disabled girl's grandmother are necessary just to get SEPTA in compliance with guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
They said SEPTA is going to far with its counter-suit for court costs.
"If we lose a case, they're going to make us pay?," said activist Nancy Salandra.
"It's not like we're getting any money out of these cases," Salandra said. "We only sue because we have no choice because (SEPTA) wont' do what they're supposed to do according to the ADA."
SEPTA said it is not suing the disabled girl's grandmother, but rather their attorney for the court costs. They said the case is one of many frivolous lawsuits the agency is forced to pay to defend.
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